Letters from the Mothers and Wives of the Crewfrom October 1944 to April 1945

Except in two instances, the following series of letters were received by Zita Jones, Maynard’s mother. The letters have been transcribed and ‘lightly edited’ for ease of reading.

From Anna D. Hautman, October 11, 1944:

Your letter received several weeks ago. Was pleased to hear from you, especially that you had recovered from an illness. That was good news.

I hope you have been receiving mail from Maynard. The last letter I received from Edward was written in England Sept. 9th. This is the first time since he is in service we’ve waited so long for mail from him. Of course there could be several good reasons. It sure keeps one wondering especially since there is so much activity over Germany this past month. One can only hope in the Lord to guide them safely over their missions with His help.

If you have heard anything about Edward, would appreciate your letting me know as my weakness is looking for mail.

About the cost of pictures, I’m sure that has been taken care of as that was the arrangements the boys made at Ft. Wayne, Ind.

Mrs. Jones, I am sorry to have waited so long answering your letter. I’ve had a ‘death’ (a brother-in-law) who I helped with nursing and a son that was married on September 30th. He is Edw.’s older brother age 34. That leaves just a daughter and myself at home. It sure seems odd to dwindle down to two people in a home after raising eight children.

Here is hoping you have been receiving mail from England. Every day brings new hope when one is waiting for mail from the boys.

Mrs. Jones, if there is anything you asked me in your letter to answer and I have not answered it, forgive me as that letter has been misplaced in all our excitement.

In the next few weeks, have a daughter who is expecting the stork. She has but one child, a son 13 yrs. of age. They are looking forward to this event as if they were looking for Santa. Now if only I don’t get a message “missing in action’. That would just complete the picture. Don’t know how I could take it.

Edward is the baby of my family—25 yrs, the 2nd of Oct/44.

Here is hoping you are in good health. Also that you are not waiting for mail as I am.

The crew, 3402, sure a wonderful lot of boys. I was so happy to get to see them at Ft. Wayne, although did not meet the enlisted men of the crew.

Sincerely, Mrs. Hautman

From Anna D. Hautman, October 16, 1944:

Rec’d your letter this morning. Sure pleased to hear that you heard from Maynard.

I rec’d a letter from Edward dated 21st of Sept. on Oct. 11th P.M. mail and on Oct. Fri. 13th Oct. at 9 P.M. received the enclosed telegram.

I will write a letter later as company came in to see me and kept me from writing more. Here is hoping that Maynard was not on this mission with Ed.

I am in hopes Ed is OK and probably in a German camp. So I will keep on praying and hoping.

With Love, Mrs. Hautman

From Mrs. Mattie G. Snidow, October 19, 1944:

I received your letter today. Yes, we are strangers in a way, but I feel now that we are very close together, and we can truly sympathize with each other.

Sunday at 2 P.M. we got a message from the War Department similar to the one you got.

We have had no further information, so we are just waiting, hoping and praying that we may soon hear some good news. The suspense and anxiety are terrible, but if in the end we can hear that the whole crew is safe we will have so much to be thankful for.

Carroll has spoken of your son and in his last letter he told Carroll to tell us “Hello”. The last letter I had from Carroll was written Sept. 25th.

No, I do not have any of the boys’ addresses yet, except the pilot’s, but I have phoned Mrs. Hautman and she is sending them to me. I may get them tomorrow and if I do I’ll send them to you.

I am so glad you wrote me, and if I get any further information I’ll be glad to send it on to you, and I hope you will do the same.

This is the hardest thing we have ever had to face, but we know God is good and will not put more on us than we are able to bear, so let us put our trust in Him and continue to pray that our boys may be spared if it His will.

With kindest regards to you and your family.

Sincerely, Mattie G. Snidow

From Anna D. Hautman, November 17, 1944:

You probably have heard from Mrs. Snidow by now.

I rec’d a letter from her Nov. 2-44 stating she had word from War Dept. that her son was a prisoner of the Germans.

I hope we get the same message soon as I hear they are very well taken care of, especially the officers.

I rec’d a letter from an English Girl whom Eddy met at a dance and they became good friends. Says she lives close to the field that our boys were stationed. She says after hearing of Eddy’s misfortune so when Eddy was shot down the rest of the boys from the field told her what had happened on the raid and although it was very bad they told her that Eddy and his crew stood every chance of bailing out before the plane crashed.

Some of the boys who got back saw such a lot of parachutes so the crews bailed out, but they weren’t able to identify any of them. Please forgive me if it is hurting you as that is the last thing in the world that I would want to do. And the letter goes on in a very sympathetic tone.

Another part spoke of the English feel proud of our boys. Says she met the rest of Eddy’s crew and to them there’s nobody like their Skipper and that’s the opinion of everyone who knew him.

Someday soon, Mrs. Jones, I will send this letter to you to read or rather when I have more time will copy it for you. She evidently is the girl that Eddie wrote about in one of his last letters, saying she is like 95% of the English girls who want to get married and come to the states.

I rec’d her letter Nov. 7 but hesitated writing to you sooner thinking I would get more news but rec’d none to date.

I’m only hoping we get something soon. Have you ever heard from Mrs. E. A. Friese? I’ve written several letters, but have never rec’d an answer from her. They were pertaining to the 2 sets of pictures sent like the ones you rec’d.

I will write again to ask if their son was with the crew when Eddy went down.

Mrs. Jones, we have been so busy re-conditioning our upper apt. for Eddy’s brother Ralph and bride. They would like to get settled by Thanksgiving so had to get what one needs to start housekeeping. Just have to wait weeks before being delivered. Could not find any place he liked to live in, so had our tenants to vacate Nov 1st.

My daughter had her big baby boy, 8 lbs., the 10th of Nov. Mother and baby doing nicely. Of course she wanted a girl. Her older boy was 13 yrs. Nov. 8th.

Hoping and praying and putting this matter in the Hands of the Lord that they will come home safe some days, but this waiting is trying.

This English girl’s address is Norwich, Norfolk, England.

By this one can know about where the boys were stationed. I wrote to chaplain also flight officer, but no word of any kind to date. Hoping you can read this letter written in haste. Write soon.

Yours Sincerely, Mrs. A. Hautman

Note: The English girl’s name was Irene Bacon and her letter was included in Hautman’s next letter.

From Anna D. Hautman, postmarked December 6, 1944:

Find enclosed negative of your son’s picture which I think is very good of him and thought perhaps you would like it. I know Edward would be pleased to know you have it. Also a copy of letter rec’d from Miss Irene Bacon which you requested in your letter. I just cannot trust the letter in the mails at this time, afraid it might be lost en route as it is so precious to me at this time.

I rec’d a letter from Headquarters, Army Air Forces, Washington, Nov. 22/44. It said in part that the boys were on a mission to Kassel, Germany, Sept. 27. Full details were not available, but the report indicates that during the mission at about 10: A.M. our planes encountered hostile aircraft over Herzfeld, Germany.

Did you receive a letter like this? Is quite a lengthy one as I haven’t the time today to copy same, just copied part.

Well, Mrs. Jones, as time goes on this waiting is a suspense, sometimes unbearable.

Did you ever hear from Mrs. Friese? I’ve never rec’d an answer, neither an answer from chaplain, Bob Baily, both from our boy’s post in England.

Mrs. Jones, I’ve heard that after 3 months we are to receive the names of rest of the crew and addresses of their next of kin. Although it may not be furnished at the present time for military security.

Here is hoping this letter finds you well.

For Thanksgiving Day I had all my children and grandchildren with me from Detroit. Drove in Thanksgiving morning at 10 A.M., left their home 2:30 A.M. The oldest son John with his wife and 4 children ages 8,6,3,2 and other son Paul with his 16 yr. old daughter also from Detroit. They stayed until Sunday morning. We really had perpetual motion in this household as children 8, 6, 3 are real American boys. Never still a minute. They love to come see me as it is quite country here. Homes here quite a distance apart, plenty of squirrels around, also a covey of quail came across our next door neighbor’s yard. Oldest grandson came in wanting to know what kind of birds they were. All of us quite excited about same as that was an unusual occurrence around here.

Mrs. Jones, I want to answer this letter of Miss Bacon’s today. Kept putting off writing to her thinking I would get some good news to write her. Probably she will be able to give me news before the War Dept. gets it to me and I’ll surely pass it on to you immediately.

Here is hoping and praying that we soon get some good news and write when you can. I know you must be busy getting a daughter ready for graduation.

Sincerely, Mrs. Anna D. Hautman

From Mrs. Anna D. Hautman, December 6, 1944

A copy of a letter from Miss Irene Bacon from Norwich, England to Mrs. Hautman, original letter dated November 7, 1944. This was included in the letter from Mrs. Hautman, postmarked December 6, 1944:

I hope that you will forgive me for writing to you like this, but I felt that I could perhaps help to comfort you, at least just a little, after hearing the news of Eddy’s misfortune.

Let me explain that I am an English girl, and I live close to where Eddy was stationed over here. We met and became friends, and so when Eddy was shot down the rest of the boys from the field told me what had happened on the raid and although it was very bad they told me that Eddy and his crew stood every chance of “bailing out” before the plane crashed—some of the boys who got back saw such a lot of parachutes as the crews bailed out, but they weren’t able to identify any of them. This may sound very crude to you and please forgive me if it hurting you as that’s the last thing in the world that I would want to do. Please don’t worry too much and have faith. We can only pray to God that they are alive and safe today and that if they are prisoners that it won’t be long before we defeat the Germans and then all our boys will be home again.

Mrs. Hautman, I want to tell you than from the bottom of my heart you have my deepest sympathy and I sincerely hope that Eddy is safe and will soon be home with you again. May I also take this opportunity to tell you that you should be proud of your son—that it’s the boys like him that make us English feel proud of them. I’ve met the rest of Eddy’s crew and to them there’s nobody like their “skipper”—and that’s the opinion of everybody that knew him.

This letter may not have explained very much to you, but please have faith he’ll come through alright and one day all our prayers will be answered and all this madness will seem like a bad dream and then we can all be happy in a happier place—time.

I don’t think that I have ever written a more difficult letter, but I’ve heard so much about you from Eddy that I feel almost as if I knew you personally. So please don’t think me rude for writing to you this way.

Once again have faith. God bless you always.

Yours very sincerely, Miss Irene Bacon

From Mrs. Anna D. Hautman, January 8, 1945

I rec’d your letter Jan 4 the morning of Edward’s memorial services. We rec’d the following telegram Dec 28th 1944. “The German government notified the International Red Cross that previously 1st Lieut. Edw. F. Hautman who was reported missing was killed in action over Germany Sept 27/44.” Twas a terrible shock as my hopes were so high. I had quite a hard road to come down. Edward’s oldest brother from Detroit was home on his Xmas visit, also his younger brother, age 35, who lives at our same home address. When I rec’d message I could not bear to send you this message sooner as I knew how you would feel if you were still awaiting news about Maynard.

I’ve lost my pride and joy and trying my best to say “Lord, Thy Will be done”. I’m sure he is interceding at the throne of God for his ‘crew’s safety.’ I haven’t written to the other boy’s mothers as yet. Thank God Maynard is safe. I still haven’t all the crewmembers’ addresses.

Sincerely, Mrs. Anna Hautman

Second letter from Mrs. Anna D. Hautman, January 8, 1945:

Mrs. Jones, I have your boy and all the crew on my mind and in my prayers. I am still so dazed everything seems like a dream.

We’ve never rec’d any of Ed’s Xmas boxes and birthday boxes and wondering if you rec’d your boy’s. I dread them coming back.

Isn’t it strange that Friese joined a Lead Crew Sept. 25th. His mother wrote me saying she has 4 sons and 1 son-in-law in the service. I’m thankful Friese was not along on this fateful mission.

We will have to pray that our crew, what is left of them, can someday tell me what happened. Ed wrote in his last letter his crew was asked to be a lead crew. It was alright with him, but his crew objected so they stuck together…all but Friese. These lead crew missions are farther apart. The crew wanted to get it over with faster to get home sooner.

We have done so much wondering what really did happen? Was the pilot killed instantly? The co-pilot will know that. Then if tail gunner was killed something happening to tail of ship. The ship would be uncontrollable. We heard a program over radio few nites ago interviewed a returned airman who is recuperating at the Ft. Thomas AAF hospital. Ft. Thomas hospital at Ft Thomas, KY is but 35 minutes ride in an auto from where we live. This boy asked how close is the formation, he said, “When over the target the ships are wing to wing and tail to tail.” I’d imagine anything could happen then.

Hoping you get some good news from Maynard himself very soon. I’ll never forget this crew as I feel I know them. Will plead our Heavenly Father to watch over them always.

Sincerely, Mrs. Anna Hautman

From Mrs. Mattie G. Snidow, January 10, 1945:

I have been waiting and hoping I would get a letter from Carroll before I wrote you, but it seems it will never come. I watch for the postman every day only to be disappointed.

I am wondering if you have heard anything from your boy.

Two weeks before Christmas we received a printed card from Germany which Carroll had signed and addressed but he wasn’t allowed to write anything. It was sure good to see his handwriting. The card said he was a prisoner of the Germans and in good health—not wounded.

It also said they would be transferred to another camp within a few days and asked us not to write until we got his new address. This card was dated Oct. 3 and we got it Dec. 11. A few days later we got a letter from the War Dept. saying they had been transferred to Stalag Luft I and to write him at this address. This camp is in the northern part of Germany.

These cold days I think about him and wonder if he has clothes to keep him warm and food enough to eat. We know if the Red Cross can get in they will not suffer. We have received his parcel labels so I sent a package last week. I am wondering if he will ever get it. This past Saturday we got his prisoner of war number which is 6074. I hope the next thing to come will be a letter direct from him.

There is a girl here whose husband is in the Eighth Air Force so we asked her to write him to see if he knew any thing about our boys. He wrote her that he was on this same mission. I believe he is a gunner. The plane he was in was leading the formation and the one our boys were in was on the wing of the formation. He said it was a terrible battle and this whole wing was completely wiped out, but they thought the boys had a good chance to bail out. I understand he has completed his missions and is on his way home. I hope I can talk to him and if I can get any other information I’ll send it on to you. He also said that our boys went down over Kassel which is right far in Germany.

I am hoping and praying if you haven’t heard from you boy that you will soon.

It was such a relief to us to get the card and of course it will be a greater joy when we can get a letter.

I think of you so often and I know there is no need to tell you not to worry. That is impossible, but don’t give up.

I am hoping Carroll can tell us something when he writes, and I will certainly write you when I hear from him.

With best wishes, Mrs. Mattie G. Snidow

From Mrs. Jesse Land (Vernon’s mother), January 14, 1945:

Was so glad you hear from you and your son is a prisoner but saying he was wounded. I hear when they were exchanging sick and wounded so maybe they will exchange your son. I hope so.

I haven’t heard from our son yet. I am so worried about him. I hope he isn’t cold or hungry.

I received a letter from Mrs. Hautman saying her son was killed. I am so sorry for her. She writes so sweet. I just wish I could meet all of the mothers of the crew. The all seem so near to me. Mrs. Jones, do you have a picture of your son? I would like to have one. I am going to try to send one of Vernon to the mothers. If you have any more of their addresses I would like to have them. I have only heard from three.

Have you heard directly from your son? We haven’t yet. I had a letter from Mrs. L. R. Snidow saying she had her son’s address and number and had received parcels labels. We haven’t received any labels yet, have you? I sure would like to get a letter from Vernon.

But I am still praying. I will and that your son will be alright.

Write as often as you can. I get so nervous when I try to write. Hope you can read this.

God Bless you, Mrs. Land

From Mrs. Lounata Land, January 20, 1945:

I’m Vernon Land’s wife. We got your address from Mrs. Hautman. We got a letter from her last week saying Edward was killed. She got the telegram last week sometime I think or maybe sometime later than that. I sure feel sorrow for her. We still haven’t heard from Vernon. I don’t know what to think about it, surely we will soon. When did you hear from your son? I think Mrs. Land was saying you had heard from him. Can he tell very much or not? The last time I heard from Mrs. Maupin they never had heard from Dale. I went to see the tailgunner’s wife (at) Xmas. She came to visit me in Oct. Her husband was killed. They don’t have any children. Vernon and I were married four yrs. Dec. 24th. We have a little girl will be three yrs. Old the 24th of this month. Her name Is Linda. She sure does cry over her daddy. It’s really pitiful how she does. Linda has to have his picture and kiss it real often, looks for a letter from him.

I was in Tucson three months before Vernon went across. I met all the crew there. Sure were a swell bunch of guys. The way they’re going into Germany maybe our boys will soon be liberated. Sure hope so. Answer soon. Let me know about your boy. Until then I’m…

Sincerely yours, Mrs. Lounata Land

From Mrs Mattie G. Snidow, January 25, 1945:

I was so glad to get your letter and to know that you had heard something from your boy. I do hope that by this time you have had more news from him and it has been good news.

Poor Mrs. Hautman. I feel so sorry for her, but she seems so brave.

We had our first card from Carroll, Monday, and needless to say it was a great joy. He did not say much only that he was getting along alright and was feeling fine. He said he hoped to get home soon, but if he didn’t get here before this card did, to send him plenty of letters and not to worry as they were doing OK. Of course we know they are not allowed to say anything else, but it was good to get a card which he has written himself. This card was dated Oct. 28th. Where do you suppose it has been all this time? I do hope he is getting mail for that will mean so much to them.

The news over there sounds good now, and if they don’t have another set back maybe it won’t be so long before our boys can come home.

I wrote Carroll and I told him that I hoped Maynard’s wounds were not serious. I knew he would be anxious to know what had happened to the others, and I tried to tell him in an indirect way. I have an idea he knew the pilot was killed, but I just mentioned that I felt so sorry for Mrs. Hautman, and I thought if he didn’t know he could get it from that.

The boy whom I was telling you about in my other letter wrote his wife that they didn’t think the pilot had much chance to bail out, so I was worried about him. I did not tell you this before because I thought if you had not heard from your boy it would cause you to worry more.

I just feel like we do have so much to be thankful for and I do hope and pray that your boy is being well taken care of and will soon be alright.

Anytime you hear anything from him, we will be so glad if you will let us know and I will pass it on to Carroll for I know he has been anxious about all of them.

At last I have received from the War Department the list of names of the crew who were with my brother, 1st Lieutenant Edward Hautman…the pilot of the B-24 your husband was on. Mother and I have been so anxious to get in touch with all his crewmembers’ families since we first learned of their fateful mission on Sept. 27, 1944 over Kresfeld, Germany. We were notified on October 13th that Edward was missing and on Dec. 28th, 1944 we were notified that he was killed on Sept. 27th over Germany.

Only seven (Note: actually four) planes out of 35 who were on this mission to Kassel, Germany and who were from the 445th Bomb-group, returned to the base. It was a terrible air battle. Our boys didn’t have a chance, as they didn’t have a fighter escort with them, and when 100 to 150 enemy planes attacked their formation theyflew over our group of boys in formations of 15 enemy planes in a line. By the time all 100 to 150 planes had used all their rocket bombs on our boys, they wiped them out.

A pilot who returned to the states recently wrote about this mission, as he was fortunate enough to land his plane on an emergency field on the coast of England on the return from that raid, and he said it was as if all hell had broke loose, planes bursting in the air, boys’ parachutes catching fire from the debris in the air and plummeting to earth. He also said that none of the pilots had a chance to escape.

Living through these past five months of anguish of soul, first with Ed missing and now knowing that we will never see him again on this earth, has turned my hair quite gray. But mother and I also realize that you and the other crewmembers’ families have felt the same anguish about your loved ones. I only hope that Harold is OK. Do write and let me know. I will enclose a list of the addresses of the boys.

Edward flew over our home four times last May 23 when he was on his way to the East Coast before going overseas.

I think of his crewmembers so much and all they have had to go through together. Ed and all the boys were asked to fly the lead plane, but they refused so Ed stuck with his crew as he felt the enlisted men on his ship were better than the average crew. And I know, if they had any kind of chance they would have come out of it OK.

Lt. Carroll Snidow, the co-pilot is a prisoner since Oct. 31, 1944 and is uninjured. Lt. Maynard Jones, the navigator, is wounded and in a hospital. His mother received word on January 1, 1945. These boys’ mothers have been writing us since Oct. since they had our address before the boys went overseas. S/Sgt. Gordon Waldron, the tail gunner, was killed and his wife was notified Oct. 13, 1944 of his death. I don’t know why they didn’t let Mother and I know sooner about Edward as Gordon and Edward are both listed by the German government as having been killed on Sept 27th, 1944.

T/Stg. Thomas V. Land of Richmond, Kentucky and S/Sgt. Dale C. Maupin are both prisoners and are together. Mrs. Land contacted us in Dec. though the Cincinnati Ohio Enquirer paper. She knew that Ed was from Cincinnati, Ohio so she had the Enquirer call us for our address. It is through her that I have learned of the boys. So that leaves only 3 more crew members to get in contact with. I wrote to Washington for a list of names and next of kin addresses, but the sent me the wrong list, so this list just arrived today Feb. 24th:

Do write and let us know about Harold. We have kept every letter and picture that Ed sent home since going in the service on Jan. 7th, 1943. They have filled three large scrapbooks.

Do you have picture of the crew and were you with Harold at Tucson, Arizona? Mrs. Land and Mrs. Waldron were with their husbands there. I do wish we all lived closer and could see one another and talk of the boys. But as it is, I guess we will just have to content ourselves with writing.

From Mr. and Mrs. Chas Maupin, March 15, 1945:

We see from our list that your son was with our son Dale when the crew was missing over Germany.

We got word Oct 13and 2 ½ weeks later we heard he was a prisoner of the Germans. Since this time we have received a card he wrote on October 27. Said he was unhurt and they were forced down Sept 27. Said the Red Cross was wonderful to them and he was being treated OK. This card was four months old when we received it. But it was so wonderful to hear from him after so long of a time.

We so hope your son is safe, although we know not how secure and you can feel he will be home soon(Note: not edited). Although we are not personally acquainted we feel close for you and your son.

We have another son who is in the Navy but has been in school in the states for several years.

You will let us know about your son and we are praying for their liberation and peace to this war soon (Note: not edited).

Sincerely, Mr. and Mrs. Chas Maupin

From Mrs. John Allen Tarbert, April 10, 1945:

It has been some time since I received you letter and I do thank you for writing. All the members are accounted for but my husband. I feel Johnnie is in the underground or else hiding out. Evidently no one has mentioned anything about him. If they do they most likely will refer to him as “Doc”.

You mentioned in your letter of a fellow in Mississippi writing to you. I was wondering if I write a letter if you will address it for me? He may be able to give me some information. I should have done this long ago but I have kept extremely busy. It seems the Lord really keeps me going.

I am working in the afternoon besides caring for the baby and house.

What did that fellow have to say (Note: believe this refers to the fellow in Mississippi who was a psychic)?

Well, our fellows may be home soon and(?) the war is going as fast. We do much praying towards this and the Lord will answer it according to His Will.

I received Johnnie’s flight record today. Did you receive your son’s? In later dates they said I will get the rest of his personal belongings.

From Mrs. Lounata Land, April 23, 1945:

Will write a few lines as I’m thinking of you. I’ve been writing for an hour trying to get all my letters answered. I owe so many it’s terrible. When did you last hear from Maynard? I haven’t heard from Vernon for about seven weeks. It was dated last Nov. 9th. Worries me to death. In the news last week said the Germans had cremated lots of our boys that are prisoners. It’s too horrible to think about. Then again ours could be safe. Did you ever receive Maynard’s permanent address and labels for sending packages? I still haven’t got Vernon’s.

In Vernon’s last letter said he had been in the hospital with strep throat, but was OK. Now I doubt if he was. He would of said that anyway.

So if you all hear from Maynard let me know and when it was dated and I’ll do the same. The rate the Russians are going now, I hope they’re soon liberated.